Laura Iglesias Romero facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Laura Iglesias Romero
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| Born |
Laura Maria Matilde Iglesias Romero
1926 Benavente, Zamora, Spain
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| Died | (aged 96) |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Known for | Atomic spectroscopy |
Laura Iglesias Romero (born in 1926, died in 2022) was a brilliant Spanish chemist. She was one of the first scientists to use a special method called atomic spectroscopy to study how stars move in space.
Contents
A Life in Science
Laura Iglesias Romero was born in Benavente, a town in Zamora, Spain, in 1926. She grew up to become a dedicated scientific researcher. She worked for a very important organization in Spain called the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). This is like a big science research center.
Studying Abroad
In 1956, Laura received a special award from CSIC. This award, called a grant, allowed her to travel and study in the United States. She went to Princeton University, a famous school, where she worked with a well-known physics professor named Allen Shenstone.
After her time at Princeton, she moved to Washington D.C. There, she continued her research at the National Bureau of Standards during the 1960s. This was another important science center in the U.S.
Return to Spain
Even though she received many job offers in the United States, Laura decided to return to Spain. She rejoined the CSIC and started working at the Instituto de Óptica Daza de Valdés. This institute focused on optics, which is the study of light.
Laura dedicated her work to studying something called "spectra" of metal elements. Think of a spectrum as a unique fingerprint of light that different elements give off. By looking at these light fingerprints, scientists can learn a lot about what things are made of.
Stars and Elements
Her research on these metal elements was very important for astrophysics. Astrophysics is the study of stars, planets, and the universe. The information Laura collected helped scientists understand how stars move. It also helped them learn about the heavy elements found in the periodic system that make up stars and other objects in space.
Honoring Her Work
In 2008, Laura Iglesias Romero's amazing contributions to science were recognized. A special award for sharing science with the public was named after her. This award, called the 'Premio de Divulgación Científica', helps encourage others to make science easy to understand for everyone.
Laura Iglesias Romero passed away on April 15, 2022, at the age of 96. She left behind a legacy of important discoveries in chemistry and astrophysics.
See also
In Spanish: Laura Iglesias Romero para niños
